Spotlight: Aurora's Paramount premieres 'The Secret of My Success'

Posted February 04, 2020 5:00 am

Billy Harrigan Tighe plays the dual role of Brantley Foster/Carlton Whitfeld in Paramount Theatre's world premiere of "The Secret of My Success," a new musical about corporate culture, mistaken identity and making your own way in life, based on the 1987 film. Courtesy of Thomas J. King

'Nine' in concert

BrightSide Theatre's season devoted to guilty pleasures continues with a concert version of "Nine," the musical by Maury Yeston and Arthur Kopit adapted from Federico Fellini's film "8½," about Guido (Edward MacLennan) a famous director in the midst of two midlife crises. One involves his upcoming film, whose script he hasn't written. The other involves his wife, Luisa, who's about to leave him.

8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 7-8, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9, at The Bartley & Maricela Madden Theatre, North Central College, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. $25, $30. (630) 447-8497 or brightsidetheatre.com.

Marielle Nada Issa plays Ruth in Marriott Theatre's young audiences production of "The Princess and the Pea."

Fairy tale updated

To find a perfect bride for her son, Queen Evermean creates "The Princess Test" reality show. The prince wants to marry Ruth, a girl he met in the forest. But that's impossible unless she passes the test in "The Princess and the Pea," a new musical adaptation of the classic fairy tale by composer Marc Robin and writer/lyricist Rick Boynton. Marriott Theatre artistic director Aaron Thielen directs and choreographs the new tuner, which is part of Marriott's young audience series.

Previews at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 8-9, and through Feb. 14 at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. The show opens Feb. 15. $18.23. (847) 634-0200 or marriotttheatre.com.

Griffin Theatre Company returns to the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre with its stage adaptation of the children's book "Frindle." Courtesy of Griffin Theatre Company

'Frindle' returns

Griffin Theatre Company's production of "Frindle" returns to the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre for a brief run. The play is adapted from Andrew Clements' children's book about a young boy who invents a new word to the consternation of his language arts teacher.

Opens at 9:45 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, and runs through Feb. 21 at 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $14, $12. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com.

Paramount's 'Success'

Paramount Theatre premieres "The Secret of My Success," a new musical adapted from the 1987 film starring Michael J. Fox. The musical is by Michael Mahler and Alan Schmuckler, who collaborated on "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" and "How Can You Run With a Shell on Your Back?" The show centers on ambitious Brantley Foster, who moves to New York City to work for a large corporation then gets laid off on his first day. Assuming the identity of a new executive, he rises through the company's ranks. When he falls for a comely colleague, however, his definition of "success" starts to change. Broadway veterans Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen wrote the book. Greenberg also directs.

Previews at 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 12-13; 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14; 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, and through Feb. 20 at 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. The show opens Feb. 21. $36-$74. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com.

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